Digital Commons Network^™

Osler And The Infected Letter, Charles T. Ambrose

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

The spread of infectious agents through the mail has concerned public health officials for 5 centuries. The dissemination of anthrax spores in the US mail in 2001 was a recent example. In 1901, two medical journals reported outbreaks of smallpox presumably introduced by letters contaminated with variola viruses. The stability and infectivity of the smallpox virus are reviewed from both a historical (anecdotal) perspective and modern virologic studies. Bubonic plague was the contagious disease that led to quarantines as early as the 14th century in port cities in southern Europe. Later, smallpox, cholera, typhus, and yellow fever were recognized as …

Boston Harbor Islands Renewables Planning Guide, Urban Harbors Institute, University Of Massachusetts Boston, Island Alliance

Urban Harbors Institute Publications

This document presents a summary of findings and recommendations from a predevelopment study of the feasibility of establishing renewable energy power generation on several of the grid-tied Boston Harbor Islands. The scope of the study was to investigate the factors and issues associated with installing a mix of renewables — wind, solar, wave and tidal/current power generating facilities — with a combined output of between one and ten megawatts at sites on or around five of the Boston Harbor Islands. Four of these islands are presently grid-tied: Long Island, Moon Island, Spectacle Island, and Thompson Island. A fifth island, Peddocks …

South Dakota Agricultural Land Market Trends: 1991-2005, Larry Janssen, Erik Gerlach, Burton Plueger

Agricultural Experiment Station Circulars (1920-1915)

Agricultural land values and cash rental rates in South Dakota, by region and by state, are the primary topics of this report. Target audiences are farmers and ranchers, landowners, agricultural professionals (lenders, rural appraisers, professional farm managers), and policy makers interested in agricultural land market trends. This report contains the results of the 2005 SDSU South Dakota Farm Real Estate Market Survey, the 15th annual SDSU survey developed to estimate agricultural land values and cash rental rates by land use in different regions of South Dakota.

Evaluation Of 2 Real-Time Pcr Assays For The Investigation Of Meca Gene In Clinical Isolates Of Mrsa In Western Saudi Arabia, Baraa T. Al-Haj-Hussein, Mohammed A. Al-Shehri, Esam A. Azhar, Ibraheem M. Ashankyty, Abimbola O. Osoba

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: In diagnostic microbiology laboratories, Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is identified by positive coagulase test and positive deoxyribonuclease (DNase) activity followed by demonstration of oxacillin resistance on susceptibility testing on agar plate. This usually takes an approximately 48-72 hours. The purpose of this study is to evaluate 2 real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the presence of mecA gene in a population of MRSA strains circulating in Jeddah, Western Saudi Arabia, in order to determine their usefulness in the speedy diagnosis of MRSA in our clinical setting and their contribution to optimal patient management. METHODS: Ninety MRSA isolates …

Duodeno-Jejunal Anastomosis With Trans Anastomotic Nasojejunal Tube For Congenital Duodenal Obstruction, Mahmoud Machmouchi, Saad A. Al-Saedi, Adnan M. Amin, Mohamed K. Arab

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Revealing The Myths : Jeanette Winterson's New Space Of Body, Love And Narrative In Written On The Body, Bonnie Cara Glasser

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This thesis derives from my interest in the way in which we read and understand novels. We may not consciously realize that we are socially conditioned to read and translate texts in certain ways. Until I started writing this paper, I did not realize the influence that social conditioning had on me when I read. Now that I am more aware of this influence, I am more careful about how I read. I realize that I should not read certain issues within texts as natural, but to think of them as constructions created to serve a specific purpose.

The focus …

Film Noir, Hard-Boiled Fiction, And Working Women : Depression And Post-War America, Andrew S. Wiecek

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The writer examines the connections between the femme fatale in film noir and 1930s hard-boiled fiction, claiming that noir critics are misguided in their claim that the femme fatale has historical specificity to postwar America. The writer summarizes criticism on the femme fatale in film noir and proceeds to underscore the significant contributions to made by the hard-boiled tradition to noir. He believes that these contributions point to a pre-war male anxiety about female independence that he traces to the economic instability of the Depression. From this anxiety during the Depression, the author claims, came the femme fatale of hard-boiled …

Effects Of Pre- And Post-Trip Activities Associated With A Residential Environmental Education Experience At The New Jersey School Of Conservation On Students’ Attitudes Toward The Environment, Lisa Cavern

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Scholars of both general education and environmental education (EE) have suggested using targeted activities before and after field experiences may increase the assimilation of desired concepts by students (Ballantyne & Packer, 1996; Bogner, 1998; Dettmann- Easler & Pease, 1999; Flavell, 1979; Knapp & Poff, 2001; Marzano, Gaddy, & Dean, 2000). A search of the EE literature using the ERIC database for the years 1967-present found two studies that explored the use of additional activities to prepare for or reinforce concepts from zoo and garden programs (Farmer & Wott, 1995; Gutierrez de White & Jacobson, 1994), but none related to residential …

The Effects Of Heavy Metals On The Cyanobacterium, Anacystis Nidulans, Suzen Sameer Awad

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Anacystis nidulans is a rod-shaped, freshwater cyanobacterium. Like other cyanobacteria, it is an obligate photoautotroph that is similar to gram-negative bacteria in cell wall structure, replication and ability to harbor plasmids. Anacystis nidulans is often used as an indicator of the presence and level of pollutants in the environment. Mercury, iron, cadmium, and zinc are among the heavy metal contaminants found in the environment and in bodies of freshwater through industrial discharges, agricultural runoff and sewage treatments. In very low concentrations, they do not pose any threat to the environment, but high concentrations can be lethal. Different microorganisms vary in …

Fisheries Occasional Paper No. 20 - Management Of Western Rock Lobster Fishery - Advice To Stakeholders - Assessment Of Southern Zone Resource Sustainability Options, Department Of Fisheries, Western Australia

Fisheries Occasional Publications

The management options presented in this paper have been developed in close cooperation with the rock lobster industry to address the short-term sustainability and economic concerns regarding the level of exploitation and its impact on the breeding stock in the southern region. The main focus in the short-term is to consider options that reduce fishing effort during periods that may be economically inefficient to fish and at the same time reduce the level of exploitation.

The management package does not address the serious long-term sustainability or socioeconomic issues (e.g. cost pressures and related fleet capacity) facing the industry. If the …

An Unwarranted Intrusion: The Constitutional Infirmities Of Washington's Dna Collection Law, Erin Curtis

Washington Law Review

Washington State law requires all convicted felons to submit a biological sample for purposes of DNA testing. Washington State courts have upheld this law as a permissible search under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Article I, section 7 of the Washington State Constitution, however, provides broader protections against governmental intrusion than does its federal counterpart. Under the state constitutional provision, law enforcement officials may disturb a citizen's private affairs only if authority of law supports the disturbance. A statute alone cannot provide the requisite authority; rather, the search prescribed must either be pursuant to a warrant or …

Commencement 2005 (Program), Illinois Wesleyan University

Commencement Ceremonies

No abstract provided.

Oncolog, Volume 50, Number 05, May 2005, Dawn Chalaire, Jonathan M. Kurie Md

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues) Archives

• Filling the Void
• House Call: Understanding Your Blood Counts
• DiaLog: Celebrex Trials Resume, by Jonathan M. Kurie, MD, Professor, Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology

Effects Of Density On Timing Of Emergence And Its Consequences For Survival And Growth In Two Communities Of Annual Plants, Roy Turkington, Deborah E. Goldberg, Linda Olsvig-Whittaker, Andrew R. Dyer

Faculty Publications

We tested whether increasing seed density results in a change in the timing of emergence in two communities of sand dune annual plants in Israel. Specifically we tested (i) if emergence is accelerated or delayed due to high seed density. We also tested two predictions about the consequences of changes in the timing of emergence; (ii) seedlings emerging earlier will have higher survival and growth; (iii) the advantage of earlier emergence increases as seed density increases. We examined these predictions for both monocots and dicots growing under different irrigation regimes and using species from a desert and a semi-arid community …

Survey Of Clustering Algorithms, Rui Xu, Donald C. Wunsch

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Data analysis plays an indispensable role for understanding various phenomena. Cluster analysis, primitive exploration with little or no prior knowledge, consists of research developed across a wide variety of communities. The diversity, on one hand, equips us with many tools. On the other hand, the profusion of options causes confusion. We survey clustering algorithms for data sets appearing in statistics, computer science, and machine learning, and illustrate their applications in some benchmark data sets, the traveling salesman problem, and bioinformatics, a new field attracting intensive efforts. Several tightly related topics, proximity measure, and cluster validation, are also discussed.

Glucose Oxidase (God)-Coupled Amperometric Microsensor With Integrated Electrochemical Actuation System, Jongwon Park, Chang-Soo Kim, Minsu Choi, Shanrui Zhang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recent developments for biosensors have been mainly focused on miniaturization and exploratory use of new materials. It should be emphasized that the absence of a novel "in-situ self-calibration/diagnosis technique" that is not connected to an external apparatus is a key obstacle to the realization of a biosensor for continuous use with minimum attendance. In order to address this issue, a novel solid-state glucose oxidase-coupled amperometric biosensor with integrated electrochemical actuation system has been designed and validated. There are two key components of the proposed glucose biosensor: solid-state GOD-coupled thin-lm amperometric sensing element and O₂ depleting/saturating built-in electrochemical actuator. The …

Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network – Spring 2005

Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network

Content:

Summer 2005 Sand Hills Biocomplexity Project Gets Underway by Monica Sanford

Commentary: Careers in Science -- Thinking Outside the Box Continued: What Are Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences? by Monica Sanford

Nebraska Forestry Shortcourse offered June 20-24, 2005, Chadron State College, Chadron, Nebraska by Christine Meyer

Geographic Educators of Nebraska (GEON) Summer Workshops by Charles Gildersleeve

Blue-Green Algae a Known Health Risk by Steven Ress

Cooperative Extension Ready With Algae Test Kits by Steven Ress

Water and Natural Resources Tour Looks at LB962, Sand Hills, Pine Ridge Issues by Steven Ress

Plant Adaptation Regions: Ecological And Climatic Classification Of Plant Materials, Kenneth P. Vogel, Marty R. Schmer, Robert B. Mitchell

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The effective use of plant materials for an array of objectives including conservation, restoration, renovation, landscaping, and bioremediation requires knowledge of the adaptation of each species and, more specifically, knowledge of the adaptation of cultivars, strains, accessions, or ecotypes of a species to specific sites or regions. For agronomic and horticultural plants, specific adaptation information has been and continues to be developed by extensive testing. Rangeland, grassland, park, and restoration project managers often lack the resources to determine adaptation areas for plant materials because of the large number of species that are used and the extensive geographical areas that are …

The Synthesis Of Biomimetic Tungsten And Molybdenum Complexes, John Sterling Cole Iii

Honors Theses

The synthesis of novel biomimetic molybdenum and tungsten compounds that are potential model complexes for molybdenum and tungsten oxidase enzymes is being pursued. Model complexes such as these provide a better understanding of the basic chemistry of a metal center in an environment similar to that found in particular enzyme active sites. This understanding provides a good starting point for biologists or biochemists studying those biological systems. The first target complex will incorporate a tetradentate-S4 ligand (L) that features two biphenyl-S2 fragments joined by a propyl linker. The second target complex will incorporate a bidentate ligand (L') with a singly …

Ethics As One Of The Fundamentals Of Language, Daniela Marcheschi

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Protecting The Rights Of Foster Children: Suing Under § 1983 To Enforce Federal Child Welfare Law, Sara J. Klein

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Pregnancy Intendedness In A High Risk Group: Reassessing Its Meaning, Mary Miller

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The traditional framework of the National Survey of Family Growth classification scheme works well for most married couples, but is less plausible for minority women who are labeled as high-risk. Surveys that are being used to assess the National Family Growth are limited classification schemes because they have failed to reveal the complex nature associated with defining pregnancies in high-risk groups. This research was designed as a qualitative study, which used semi-structured, open-ended interviews to explore concepts of pregnancy. Five qualitative dimensions of pregnancy intendedness emerged: socioconception desire for pregnancy, forced preparation, fertility behavior and expectation, post-socioconception desire for pregnancy, …

Comparative Seed Dispersal, Seedling Establishment And Growth Of Exotic, Invasive Ailanthus Altissima (Mill.) Swingle And Native Liriodendron Tulipifera (L.), Nathan L. Kota

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (tree of heaven) is an exotic species from China that was intentionally introduced as an urban ornamental species but has since become naturalized throughout much of the U.S. This pioneer species appears poised to invade rural areas as current rates of human-induced forest disturbance lower dispersal barriers and increase available habitat, especially in eastern forests, where it will compete with pioneer native trees such as Liriodendron tulipifera (L.) (yellow poplar). To compare the invasion potential of exotic A. altissima and native L. tulipifera, my research focused on two objectives. First, I investigated characteristics that influence dispersal …

Functional Mri Of Rat Kidney Using Bold & Asl Techniques, Rajesh K. Garugu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Noninvasive functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) methods may provide new ways to detect and track renal hemodynamic changes in-vivo. In this thesis, two fMRI methods were correlated with simultaneous invasive hemodynamic measurements. A particular goal of this thesis was to measure the relative contributions of oxygenation and perfusion changes to changes in the relaxation rate, T2*. Also, an MRI compatible motion detector was built and along with the invasive probes was interfaced to a data acquisition system for use during scanning. Drug-induced changes in renal oxygenation and blood flow were measured by BOLD- & ASL-MRI noninvasively, while a dual oxygenation/perfusion …

Spectacle And Distortion: The Anti-Globalization Movement On Television News, Raphi Rechitsky

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

The Estimated Economic Impacts Of Biotechnical Firms In Hillsborough County, Florida : An Analysis Performed By Center For Economic Development Research, College Of Business Administration, University Of South Florida, University Of South Florida. Center For Economic Development Research

College of Business Publications

No abstract provided.

Student Honors And Awards Program 2005, University Relations

UMM Honors and Awards Ceremony

In recognition of students who demonstrate academic excellence and enrich campus life.

Cell Wall Functions Required For Mating In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Stephen Dougherty

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

In order for two haploid yeast cells to undergo normal fusion during mating, adhesive contacts are formed by a general class of fungal proteins termed “adhesins”. Within this family there is a subgroup of cell wall proteins termed “agglutinins” which are known to mediate aggregation, thereby increasing mating efficiency in liquid medium (Aga1p, Aga2p, Aga1p). In the absence of sufficient mating adhesive contacts we observed that cells undergo defective morphogenesis, apparently continuing to grow at their tips after fusing at the expense of laterally expanding their conjugation bridge. Based on these qualitative observations, I utilized differential interference microscopy to capture …

The Role Of Dosage Sensitive Sex Reversal Adrenal Hyperplasia Congenita 1 (Dax-1) In Mouse Oogenesis, Krystal Wilson

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Although critically important to fertility and reproduction, the mechanisms controlling development of mammalian primordial germ cells into functional oocytes are poorly understood. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate oocyte development will ultimately reveal significant insights into female infertility problems in mammals, including humans. In order to decipher what mediates the formation of a functional oocyte, we are studying oogenesis in the mammalian model Mus musculus. During mouse embryonic development the oocytes develop as interconnected clusters of cells called germline cysts. Evidence suggests that in humans, oocytes are also organized into cysts. Eventually the cysts undergo programmed cell breakdown, each giving …

Photo-Induced Current Measurements In Chlamydomonas Cell Suspensions, Collin D. Capano

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

In order to fully understand the principles behind phototaxis in flagellate algae, it is necessary to measure the electric currents these cells create when processing light stimuli. Many different techniques have been developed to do this. One of these techniques, measuring from cell suspensions, has a number of advantages over the others that makes it highly desirable. However, the lab that first developed this method of recording did not describe the setup very well. The result is that in the thirteen years since it was first reported, only one other independent lab has been able to reproduce the results despite …